Paulassie is the eldest of the four sons of noted tribe leader Pootoogook, who was so pivotal to the formation of the village of Kinngait (Cape Dorset) in the early days. The four brothers, Paulassie, Eegyvudluk, Kananginak and Pudlat (and many of their wives and children) are all well-known artists at both a national and international level. Paulassie began as a printmaker but has been carving for almost fifty years now, and his work reflects an ongoing interest and curiosity in the world around him.